Classic Selection

For my book club our next pick is for each of us to choose a different classic literature book. I narrowed my choice down to 2 books, but thought I would ask the opinions of anyone who might happen to come across my blog (I know I don't have regular followers, but I also know some of you are regular readers).  So tell me what you think I should read and why. 
 
Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

I eventually would like to read both, but because I am slow I only have time for one book before our next meeting.  And if you haven't read either of the above books, but have another classic favorite, give me your pitch for why I should read your favorite. ...and hurry because I have GOT to get reading!

3-2-1 Blastoff!

Brad and Caden got this rocket for Christmas from my super smart engineer of a sister, Shelley.  For Thanksgiving we went on a tour of a museum on the military base where Shelley works and they had tons of missiles and rockets that all the guys love hearing about.  Caden was so excited to launch his rocket, I don't even think he really knew what to expect.  I think he was surprised when it actually made a loud noise and flew extremely high into the air, then came back down and landed only a few yards from where we set it off.  The funnest part of all for me, was seeing that sparkle in Brad's eye and watching his excitement for the whole childhood memory/reenactment scene.  I actually have fond memories of this very same scene myself, except we would always launch our rockets in the empty field next to my grandparents house when we went to visit them in St. George.  Fun times.  Are Brad and I the only one's who ever did this as a kid? I bet not, anyone else have fun stories of launching rockets?

Rudolph

Brad took the kids to the playground and Jane fell and smacked her nose right on a metal stair.  Poor child, her nose is now glowing red, thank goodness she just got over her cold where she had a constant runny nose.  I would never be able to wipe her nose with such tender trauma to the area.  Brad reminded me later that Caden had done the same thing when he was about Jane's age and we think his nose recovered so that gives us hope that this is just one of those millions of injuries that won't cause permanent damage.  I think she makes the cutest Rudolph!

Home Sweet Home

My dear Grandmother fell and broker her shoulder in December and was not able to return back to her independent living apartment until the beginning of March.  She had to have surgery and a lot of therapy to get her to the point where she can begin therapy on her shoulder and is independent enough to live at her apartment.  I am one of the lucky few that live close and can visit her often and I love it! My kids love it too. Caden always looks forward to the M&Ms, popcorn, and soda fountain.  Yesterday we caught Grandma playing Bingo and waited for her to finish (I heard the residents get quite upset if you interrupt or disrupt Bingo).  Then we walked around and visited for a while.  Jane has never been known to hold anyone's hand. She always wants to run free, but yesterday when my grandma (her great grandma) offered her pointer finger to Jane, she took it and didn't let go. I thought it was kinda funny, and touching at the same time so I had to get a picture. I thought to myself how funny this was because we think my grandma must have tripped and fallen when she broke her shoulder and Jane, at her age, is tripping quite frequently too.  What a terrible combination.  What you can't tell from the picture is that Jane was wearing squeaky shoes and everyone was laughing as they walked (squeaked) by together. We are all so happy that my Grandma is home and happy. 

Aren't we just lovely?

We haven't had a family picture for a while and it's been a while since we took these.  Some were in September 2010 and the top one was Thanksgiving time.  Both times were quite windy (slightly maddening), but at least we got it done and the pictures turned out just great!

Primary

Glad that's over! Last November I was called to the Primary presidency and I was in charge of an activity.  I stole all my ideas from the internet because most know I am not creative.  It was a PJs party where they came to get to know their new Primary teacher.  Upon arrival each kid got a bingo game with facts about the leaders. They had to go around asking us which fact belonged to us. We had a huge matching game with fun facts about their teachers, we at cinnamon rolls in our PJs, then divided into groups for 3 stations.
P-Prayer they decorated a prayer rock
J- Journal they received a scripture journal to write in each month this year,
S- Scriptures - read the scripture in Matt. about loving your neighbor and played the game "do you love your neighbor"
We had a great turn out of kids and teachers so I think it all went really well.  Thanks to all those who helped prepare and execute the activity, couldn't have done it without tons of help.

Prince Charming

As I was helping Caden get ready for school one morning we had just finished brushing teeth and combing hair when we had the following conversation (as close as I can remember anyway):
Caden: Now I want some motion on.
Lisa: Motion? what is motion?
Caden: Ya know, Daddy always puts it on right here [lifting his chin up and pretending to spray something on his neck].
Lisa: Oh! Cologne! you want to put some of dad's cologne on? 
Caden: Yeah, so I can smell good [very 'matter of fact' like].

He's only 3! This kid, although those who know him may not realize it, can be a total charmer.  Sometimes he will come really close to me face to face and say with the most sweet and sincere voice, "mom, you're so beautiful" while he tucks some of my hair behind my ear.  You just have to hear it, sometimes I almost burst out laughing because I can't believe how he swoons me.  Then one Sunday we were sitting together on a chair in the foyer at church and Caden spotted a friend of ours from the ward, Sarah who is about 8 years old, walking down the hallway toward us.  Caden stopped what he was doing and watched her come toward us, then once she was about to pass us Caden said "hey Sarah" in the most casual, nonchalant way.  It reminded me of when you would pass your crush in the hall in high school and you would try to act super cool and casual when you said hi to the person that you know would make you blush.  I seriously think everyday that I am dealing with a teenager, not a 3 year old. What am I going to do when he IS a teenager?  This kid is so funny sometimes I just can't help but brag about him. I was even laughing about it while I was proofreading this very post. 

Lights

Yes, we braved the cold, packed the kids, and ventured downtown to see the lights on Temple Square.  My brother was in town for only 2 full days so we were lucky we could go do this as an entire family.  We even got to witness a proposal.  No, not my brother's, but some other lucky gal & guy.  [sigh]

Sleep Over

Caden had his first official sleep over with his 2 Aunts Shelley and Lynette.  He was extremely excited he planned out where everyone would sleep and what they would do.  Since I have to play "catch up"  (don't judge) this picture and this sleep over happened sort of a while ago, but it was on the most magical night of all, Christmas Eve.

Christmas Shopping Yet?

I heard something a while ago that I thought was a great idea.  I can't remember who told me, so sorry for not giving credit, but a friend of a friend, who is a mom follows this simple rule of thumb when buying Christmas gifts for her kids:

Something you want,
Something you need,
Something to wear, &
Something to read.

Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with trying to figure out what I should get for my kids.  I'm not a shopper or necessarily a spoiler so having this as a guideline will keep me from feeling guilty that I don't get tons of gifts for my kids and can help keep things fair.  Christmas is now really far away so hopefully now that I have written it down somewhere I will be able to remember it when it comes time to shop (oh, the dreaded shopping).